25/03/2026
It is with the greatest sadness that I have to inform you that my friend, our S/m, Life member and RN WWII veteran Harry Waddingham has "Crossed the Bar" at the age of 109. Harry joined the Navy at the age of 16 in 1932, he served through the war as a gunner and PTI. Harry spent most of the war on the Hunt Class destroyer HMS Mendip, a vessel he loved. He was twice torpedoed on other vessels and, on both occasions was thrown in to the sea, once on a Destroyer at Dunkirk, where sadly over 700 troops lost their lives and the second time on HMS Juno in the Med. On both occasions he survived due to the fact that he was a gunner and worked on the upper deck. He went on to teach unarmed combat and also taught pilots how to parachute safely in to the sea. I always remember him saying that, one of the main things he remembers about the war at sea, apart from the fear and constant apprehension, was the utter tiredness. When at sea he was on constant 4 on 4 off watches, He said invariably during the off time the ship would get called to Action stations, they got very little sleep. When he left the mob he became a teacher in London and for many years ran the schools Cadet forces. Truly one of the last of our greatest generation. He lived a long and full life and he will be greatly missed. RIP Shipmate, your duty is done, we have the watch.
